Recommended Ages: Gr. 4-7

Plot Summary: Jake has a big secret. He's not really human. His parents found him in a glob that crashed to earth 12 years ago in their neighborhood. Jake's parents want him to be happy and healthy and they're not sure he can stay safe in a real school now that he's started to shapeshift. They allow him after Jake promises to be careful. With cell phones capturing video, no one wants Jake to shapeshift in front of others because his secret will be out there and "they" will find him, maybe to run tests on him. When Jake and his new friend Agnes explore a sink hole in their town and Jake sees some of the same goo that his parents found him in, he's worried. The hum that he feels in his belly before he shapeshifts is also stronger more often now. And more and more sink holes are appearing. One time, at the mall, he changes into a seal in the privacy of his own stall. But tons of videos were captured and he's mortified. Agnes, on the other hand, thinks Jake being able to shapeshift is the greatest thing ever. Together, they want to solve the mystery of the goo and the sinkholes before others find out about Jake. Can they do it before others?

Setting: Arizona, outside of Phoenix

Characters:
Jake Wind - 12 y/o, homeschooled for most of his life
Mom -
Dad - proctologist, makes lots of butt jokes
Agnes Oakes - new to school, likes the same superhero show Nite Kite as Jake, dad died in a warehouse accident
Dale - Jake's uncle, acts like a airhead except when talking or making music
Growler - Jake's dog

Recurring Themes: alien, space, adventure, friendship, survival, family, adoption, belonging

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: Better than I thought for a genre I don't always love. Could be a lot to discuss. Well written.

Genre: science fiction

Pacing: medium
Characters: decent character development
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: ( )

I checked Weird Kid out from my local library because James Nicoll Reviews had a positive review about it. I was not steered wrong. It's a good book.

Jake Wind has a big problem. He's a shape-shifting blob of goo who fell to earth twelve years ago. He turned into the shape of a human baby when Mr. Wind touched him. Mr. and Mrs. Wind took him in. Jake has to worry because he's starting to have trouble keeping his human shape - something far more serious than if he were dealing with puberty causing his voice to change. His parents are afraid that if he changes in public, he could be taken away for experiments. Jake has succeeded in getting them to agree he can go to school instead of being home-schooled, but he knows he could lose that privilege if he can't keep himself together. Sometimes Jake loses shape completely and has to spend time in a bucket, like Security Chief Odo on 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'.

Jake's problem holding his shape has already cost him his best friend, Eirryck, because Jake didn't dare spend time with him. Now Jake's best chance for a friend is newcomer Agnes Oakes, daughter of a woman his mother met at the gym. Agnes is a big fan of comic book superheroine Night Kite (who will probably remind readers of Batman). Jake is also a fan, but he prefers the alien born superhero Star Hammer (who sounds as if he's a cross between Superman and the Mighty Thor). I love the name of Star Hammer's home planet: Bahlpeen.

The very first day of middle school, Jake loses control of one hand. It doesn't seem as if anyone saw the change, but he's stressed about it. Then there's the sinkhole that shows up where Jake and Agnes are eating their school lunch. The sinkhole provides a goo that Agnes collects. As we later learn, sinkholes have been appearing around town. We meet a Dr. Woll who is going around and asking questions. That's not nearly as bad as when Jake and Agnes find out what the goo can do, which reminded me a little of a classic horror movie. What can Jake and Agnes do to save their town?

NOTES:

Chapter 1: Night Kite and Star Hammer are explained and Jake has a minor shape shift incident in class.

Chapter 2:

a. I smiled at Jake's plan to pretend to be Marcel from France because the classic "Saturday Night Live" had a series of skits about an alien family called the Coneheads, who claimed they were from France.

b. Jake explains about the Hum.

c. Jake and Agnes discuss Nite Kite, Star Hammer, and a comic book issue before Lake has another involuntary shape shift and the sinkhole appears.

Chapter 3:

a. We're introduced to Dale's Guitar Shed and its eccentric owner, Mrs. Win's cousin and Jake's guitar teacher. We also meet a corner mailbox with a habit of catching fingers that's called Big Blue Biter.

b. We're given Jake's guitar's name and get information about Dale's old band.

Chapter 4:

a. Cedar Creek View is five miles from Phoenix, the largest city in Arizona.

b. Agnes' house is four blocks from Jake's. It's described and we meet her mother.

c. A Night Kite crossover issue with Star Hammer is described. (Doctor Krudd? Glimmer City? Heh)

Chapter 5:

a. Dr. and Mrs. Wind are Dutch-Indonesian, though neither has been to Holland or Indonesia.

b. Dr. Claudia Woll of the Collaboratory is introduced.

Chapter 6: There's a new sinkhole at the Fosters' house. Agnes and Jake hear the word, 'xenogel'.

Chapter 7: There's an incident at the local mall. Also, Jake tells us Night Kite's origin story,. (Grimm City?)

Chapter 8:

a. The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 is real.

b. Agnes learns about Jake (whose pre-algebra teacher is Ms. Yoh).

c. We learn what happened to Agnes' father.

Chapter 9:

a. Agnes brings up a Star Hammer issue involving a villain named Volcamech.

b. We're introduced to twins, Mary and Davey.

c. Jake sees Dale working on Basszilla.

Chapter 10: Agnes gives Jake the Hum-o-Tron. Jake meets the twins again.

Chapter 11: We get to see the Collaboratory.

Chapter 13: Agnes guesses where Jake came from.

Chapter 15:

a. Agnes reminds Jake what happened in a Star Hammer comic when Professor Brainpan abducted Nails the Star Horse.

b. Leonard asking to shoot them both is a nod to the original 'Star Trek' episode, 'Whom Gods Destroy'.

Chapter 17:

a. Jake brings up a Night Kite comic with a villain named Tool Man and a robot called The Cutler in its title.

b. Jake and Agnes encounter quite a few imblobsters.

Chapter 18: Agnes references the newest Night Kite comic. Jake references a double-sized Star Hammer comic.

It's an interesting adventure that would make a good animated movie. I like Jake and Agnes. The problem Agnes calls about in the last chapter would make a cool sequel.

Dog lovers have Growler to enjoy. ( )

I really wanted to like this. The concept was interesting. It is a bit reminiscent of the Superman origins: found as a baby with abilities they can not control. The kid can shape shift and not being able to control it made for some interesting scenes, but I just kept feeling sorry for the main character. And it took the enjoyment of this book away. I DNFed at 44% ( )

Hilarious. Also surprisingly touching for a book with as many butt jokes as it has. ( )

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was interesting, I think it would be a good introduction to science-fiction. ( )